NOVEL WEB Chapter 4 - Eun-ha, I Have Sincerity Too
Chapter 4: Eun-ha, I Have Sincerity Too
Early morning.
No, it wouldn’t be odd to call it dawn. I barely managed my stiff body and headed towards the center of Seoul.
‘Is this the place?’
Looking up, I saw a building with a distinctly modern design. Overall, it was boxy but somehow had a stylish atmosphere.
Above all, a huge electronic billboard at the front of the building caught my eye. More precisely, it was the sight of ‘Seo Jun-woo’ looking down at me from there.
‘…The kid is doing well.’
Seo Jun-woo was a university colleague. However, he lived a life that was the complete opposite of mine, as I was treated like an outsider at school.
‘He used to get A’s even without attending classes.’
Having been a famous actor since his child actor days, he often missed classes during the semester due to filming.
But Park Jae-jin and the rest of the faculty cherished him a lot, and absences due to his acting work were all acknowledged as official leaves.
Of course, some of the top students complained about this.
– If you also star in a terrestrial drama, I’ll grant you official leaves too.
Everyone shut their mouths after the bone-crushing comment from the department head.
At the same time, he drew a line that he would never give an (A+) unless the attendance days were fulfilled, so any lingering complaints disappeared.
“…I’m jealous. So jealous.”
A feeling I couldn’t swallow burst out of my mouth. I’ve always been envious of that guy, from my school days until now.
It was more admiration than jealousy. Seeing Seo Jun-woo, who always received the spotlight wherever he went, I thought that one day, I should reach that point too.
‘The problem is it’s getting farther away.’
Sigh-
I couldn’t help but sigh. While my worth was decreasing over time, Seo Jun-woo’s follower count was increasing in real-time.
‘How many followers did he have?’
He had over a million followers a few years ago and held a follower appreciation event, so now, the number might have changed drastically.
“Sigh…”
“Why are you sighing so much?”
Gulp-!
I choked on my breath at the sudden voice. I calmed my protesting lungs and barely turned my head.
Then, I saw Kim Eun-ha with a playful smile on her lips.
As I felt before, she’s incredibly skilled at concealing her presence.
“When did you come?”
“Hmm, who knows?”
“…You heard everything.”
“Not exactly. I just heard you say ‘I’m jealous’ while looking at our department store’s main model, Seo Jun-woo ssi.”
“That was all I said.”
“Oh, really!?”
Kim Eun-ha exaggeratedly widened her eyes and acted surprised. As much as she can see through people’s hearts, she’s also exceptional at scratching their insides.
When I silently glared at her, Kim Eun-ha continued speaking with a feigned smile on her lips.
“Should I change it for you?”
“What?”
Swoosh-
Instead of answering, Kim Eun-ha turned her head towards the billboard. Following her, I naturally shifted my gaze and once again met Seo Jun-woo’s eyes.
“If you want, I can change it right now.”
“……”
This is not a joke.
Kim Eun-ha is the actual owner of this huge department store right before my eyes. She has enough power to execute her words.
Even the trivial legal responsibilities and image damage that may arise from this process are within her vast capabilities to handle.
‘If I’m honest…’
I immediately want to nod my head. If my face, even for a brief moment, is engraved in that place where ten million Seoul citizens look up to, how thrilling would that be?
“It’s fine.”
Despite that, I resolutely shook my head. Then, Kim Eun-ha blinked in surprise and spoke.
“It’s not a joke.”
“I’m not joking either.”
“You do know how much that’s worth, right?”
“I know it’s extremely expensive.”
“Then why reject it?”
Her reaction seemed genuinely puzzled.
It sounded like she was questioning why I was suddenly standing on pride when I had easily accepted a parachute position and even a fake marriage.
“Eun-ha, I too have sincerity.”
“…Why are you suddenly speaking informally?”
“…You don’t know this line?”
“I don’t have time to keep up with theater.”
It’s not theater, but a movie.
Moreover, it’s a movie that’s still mentioned as a masterpiece even over 10 years after its release. There have been a series of sequels too.
But I wasn’t tactless enough to point out this painful truth. Especially not to an employer who literally held my livelihood in her hands.
“Well. It’s a meme that young people these days don’t really know.”
“But Woo-ju ssi, you’re the same age as me.”
“I was often called an old soul when I was a student.”
Zap-
A moment of suspicious scrutiny swept over me, but years of thick-skinned resilience shielded me.
“…Go on with what you were saying.”
“It’s nothing grand. Just, well. A trophy forced into my hands by someone else doesn’t seem very appealing, does it?”
“Even though it’s what you wanted?”
“Especially because it’s what I wanted.”
I looked up at the electronic billboard once again. Would I really be happy if I got that spot through Kim Eun-ha’s power?
‘Not at all.’
No matter how many times I thought about it, the answer was the same.
I didn’t reject the parachute because it was an ‘opportunity’ for me to act. The outcome depended entirely on me.
But having my face on the billboard isn’t an opportunity. It would only diminish both Kim Eun-ha’s and my image.
‘She must know that too.’
The ownership of Mirae Department Store wasn’t won through a game of luck. Before coming here, I did some research on her…
[‘Luxury President’ CEO Kim Eun-ha] (TL: Luxury President is a Korean term given to CEOs, etc., by Koreans who own luxury brands.)
[Her journey turning adversity into opportunity]
[Astounding philanthropy! Kim Eun-ha’s noblesse oblige]
Articles praising her were plentiful. Of course, there were some negative opinions, but considering the nature of the internet, they were minimal.
At first, I thought it was image management by the group, but it wasn’t just that.
[Corrupt prosecutors vs. the second son of a chaebol family]
[Connections between certain politicians and famous chaebols?]
[The detrimental impact of chaebol monopolies on the Korean economy]
In an era where any Korean citizen can broadcast with just a finger, perfect media control is practically impossible.
Moreover, the government was particularly targeting Mirae Group for ‘chaebol hunting’ after some missteps in the last presidential election.
‘Yet, to still have such a favorable public opinion…’
It meant Kim Eun-ha’s capabilities were extraordinary. In fact, Mirae Department Store’s performance had been declining annually, but it reversed after she took charge.
So, this question could be a trap. Even if she didn’t intend it to be.
“Think about it this way. What would you feel if someone handed you the successor position of Mirae Group?”
“I’d think it’s a windfall.”
“…What if the food is spoiled?”
“My stomach is quite strong.”
Smirk-
Kim Eun-ha lifted the corners of her mouth as if she found my response amusing. It felt like she had anticipated my questions and was already prepared with her response.
Irritated by her playful smile, I retorted a bit gruffly.
“Randomly eating anything can cause stomach trouble.”
“I’m not in a position to be picky right now.”
“Even with everything you have?”
“Me? You’re joking.”
As I casually glanced at the department store and brought it up, Kim Eun-ha quickly shook her head, denying it.
This time, there was no teasing tone in her voice. If her ambition wasn’t to become a top actress, then her response was 100% sincere.
“You’re greedy.”
“If you see the wealth my relatives have, you’d faint.”
“People should know when to be satisfied.”
“What about you, Woo-ju ssi?”
“……?”
Swoosh-
I turned my head slightly and found myself looking directly into Kim Eun-ha’s eyes, which had been watching me all along.
Her black eyes, twinkling under the streetlight, seemed to carry the galaxy in them, fitting her name ‘Eun-ha’ (TL: Eun-ha means Galaxy).
Caught off guard by the unexpectedly serious atmosphere, I hesitated for a moment before she continued in a calm voice.
“How much would it take for you, Woo-ju ssi, to be satisfied?”
“Well…”
I barely stopped myself from responding reflexively, sensing that a light answer wouldn’t be appropriate here.
Seemingly reading my hesitation, Kim Eun-ha did not rush me, allowing me time to ponder.
‘Satisfaction.’
My gaze naturally drifted to the electronic billboard.
The immediate goal was, of course, Seo Jun-woo.
But if I really reach that spot.
What then?
Will I stop there?
Or will I aim higher?
I didn’t ponder for long.
‘…I’ve been too narrow-minded.’
Those who reach the top gain a broader perspective. Having been busy looking up at the mountain, now I stood atop it.
But for those with elevated sights, new vistas come into view. Such is the law of nature.
‘Since when did Seo Jun-woo become my goal?’
Even if I reach Seo Jun-woo’s position, I won’t be satisfied. By then, I’ll be looking towards something higher, like Kim Eun-ha now.
“I misspoke. I apologize.”
I bowed slightly towards Kim Eun-ha. Not because she was my employer, but for taking her ambitions too lightly.
“I’ll accept your apology.”
Her response came coolly, without delay. As I slightly raised my head, she was looking at me with a gentle smile on her lips.
Beautiful.
I found myself thinking involuntarily. Her smile, not contrived but genuine, was truly beautiful.
“Aren’t you staring a bit too obviously?”
Hehe-
However, that smile was fleeting. A wave of regret washed over me, but I composed myself and continued.
“Is that not allowed?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Why not?”
“…….”
Huh?
A sense of déjà vu enveloped me. Before I could unravel this feeling, Kim Eun-ha quickly turned away, hiding her face.
“Let’s go inside now.”
“Are you perhaps changing the subject because you’re embarrassed…?”
“Stop talking nonsense and hurry up. Everyone is waiting.”
“Huh?”
Instead of replying, Kim Eun-ha moved briskly. Her pace was so fast that I had to jog to keep up without losing sight of her.
“……!?”
As soon as we entered the department store, I was stunned by the unfamiliar scene unfolding before my eyes.
From the entrance to the escalator. Dozens of employees dressed in black suits were lined up on both sides, forming a path.
“Welcome.”
Before I could grasp what was happening, the employees bowed in unison, greeting me with perfect precision.
A grand reception that seemed like something out of a 2000s drama. And Kim Eun-ha, walking between them as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
That’s when it really hit me.
The kind of world I had stepped into.
“……”
Despite the number of people gathered, not even a breath could be heard. The weight of the silence pressing down on my shoulders sent a chill through my heart.
Everyone except Kim Eun-ha had their heads bowed, but I could feel their eyes on me, as if they all had eyes on the back of their heads.
– Who is that?
– Is he a VVIP?
– Surely, he’s not the CEO’s boyfriend?
Eventually, I even felt tickled by their voices, which shouldn’t have been audible. My mind felt like it was turning blank.
– This is Park Do-Hyun.
Was it just a coincidence?
Was it mere fiction that I heard the voice of that guy in my ear? If it had been him, how would he have acted in this situation?
‘…He would have walked confidently.’
Because that’s the kind of guy he is.
Even in an unfamiliar situation, he would never have been flustered. Especially someone who would take this kind of treatment for granted.
‘Let me borrow you for a moment.’
As if his spirit had possessed my body. No, as if I had peeled off his skin and draped it over mine.
I straightened my shoulders confidently.
A cold smile on my lips.
I took a bold step forward.
Thud-
As my firm footsteps broke the silence, I sensed a hint of panic around me, but I never turned my head.
My gaze was fixed solely on her.
I had to look only at Kim Eun-ha.
“……”
“……”
Kim Eun-ha, who had been walking ahead, also stopped at some point. She turned her head to meet my eyes but didn’t say a word.
She just wore a satisfied smile.
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